BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Oct. 7, 2026 – Regions Bank on Wednesday announced the launch of its Materials and Infrastructure Group, a specialized Corporate Banking team serving clients that manufacture and distribute materials used in building products, infrastructure, packaging and other specialty material related industries.
The team expands Regions’ Specialized Industries Group, which provides strategic guidance and customized solutions built around the unique needs of businesses serving a wide range of sectors.
What is Regions’ Materials and Infrastructure Group?
Regions Bank’s Materials and Infrastructure Group combines deep industry knowledge with Regions’ corporate and investment banking capabilities. The result is clients have direct access to strategic advice and financial solutions designed to support growth initiatives, capital investments, acquisitions, working capital needs and other objectives.
Proven Leadership: Regions Bank Elevates a Trusted Leader to Maximize this Growth Opportunity
Regions Bank turned to a recognized industry leader, Ryan Franco, to launch the group. He will report to Leo Loughead, head of Regions Bank’s Specialized Industries Group.
“The Materials and Infrastructure Group is an important expansion of our Corporate Banking solutions, further enabling Regions to provide holistic, industry-specific support to clients,” Loughead said. “Ryan Franco knows Regions’ relationship-based approach to client support, and he knows the Regions culture. We are proud to expand his role to help us deliver more solutions to companies in these industries and introduce new clients to Regions Bank’s relationship-based approach to supporting clients’ growth.”
Our approach at Regions brings together industry experience with the breadth of Regions’ financial capabilities, enabling us to fully support clients’ business needs and deliver solutions designed around their strategic priorities. I am honored to be part of this next chapter of growth within our Specialized Industries Group.
Ryan Franco
Franco joined Regions in 2019 as part of the Diversified Industries Group, where he focused on building and expanding support for clients in industrial manufacturing and construction. Before joining Regions, Franco spent 10 years with Wells Fargo Securities in various roles within Industrials Corporate & Investment Banking.
Franco earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Finance from the University of Georgia. He holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licenses.
“Companies across the materials and infrastructure economy are navigating a period of significant change, from continued industry consolidation to evolving capital needs and investments in long-term growth,” said Franco. “Our approach at Regions brings together industry experience with the breadth of Regions’ financial capabilities, enabling us to fully support clients’ business needs and deliver solutions designed around their strategic priorities. I am honored to be part of this next chapter of growth within our Specialized Industries Group.”
A Closer Look: Who Regions’ Materials and Infrastructure Group is Ready to Serve:
The group will provide specialized coverage across five core areas including:
- Heavy Equipment, Construction Materials, and Aggregates
- Building Products
- Corrugated Packaging
- Can, Glass & Metal Packaging
- Specialty Materials
“Building on our service to these industries is a natural extension of our growth strategy at Regions Bank,” Loughead concluded. “We’re operating in high-growth, business-friendly markets across the Southeast, Texas and beyond – and we’re ready to leverage our experience to help clients maximize their own growth and meet the needs of expanding industry throughout our footprint.”
About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $161 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates more than 1,200 banking offices and more than 1,750 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.